Electric sign and controlling circuits therefor



w. F. HENDRY 1,769,060

I ELECTRIC SIGN AND CONTROLLING CIRCUITS 'IL'I'IEREFOR July 1, 1930.

Filed July 14. 1927 Nag ooocooooo 00000 000 INVENTOR A Axiom r mmed July 1, 1930 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM I. HENDBY, OI WESTCEESTH, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB T0 MANHATTAN ELECTRICAL SUPPLY COMPANY, INC., 01 NEW YORK, -N. Y., A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS nnnc'rmc axon am) comaonnmo cmcurrs 'rnmmroa Application fled July 14,

Another feature pertains to a device com-' prising a bank of neon lamps and associated circuit controllers for variably lighting the lamps in the bank in rapid succession.

A still further feature relates to a changeable sign made up of a bank of neon lamps which may be illuminated in varying combinations under control of a non-pictorial rec- 0rd to produce the effects of a moving picture.

Another feature relates to a chan cable sign comprisin a multi lieity of e ectric lamps "arranged in co-ordinate groups and commutator means for economically lighting any one or a combination of lamps in succession.

Another feature relates to a circuit controller mechanism for a changeable sign, which mechanism is adapted to be operated at comparatively high speeds without sparking or other deleterious effects on the commutator itself.

A still further feature resides in a multiple unit changeable sign em loying neon lamps o the half wave type for tl ie sign units, together with perforated circuit control bands operating in definite time relations with the current variations to reduce wear and deterioration of the control bands. I

The invention also contemplates the novel organization of lamps, commutators and mechanical media records which go to make u an eflicient moving picture sign.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent after a consideration of the following detailed description and as pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention em loying a changeable sign and comprising a p urality of the invention is 1927. Serial No. 205,617.

coordinately arranged half-wave neon lamps and associated circuit controllers.

Fig. 2 shows a modification of a commutator for controlling the circuits of the verti-,

cal rows of lam s. Y

Fig.3 is a; so ematic representation ofthe relations between the lamp currents and the perforated base circuit controllers.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, there is shown a bank of lamps, each unit of which operates on the rinciple disclosed in the W. F. Hendry app ication, Serial No. 180,788, filedApril 4,1927. As described in said application, these lamp units are adapted to be operated referably by alternating current and are so esigned that onlycone half of the wave of the alternating current passes through them. The urpose of employing lamps of this type wi 1 become a parent after a consideration of the following description.

7 For the purpose of securing simp icity in the drawing, the lamp bank is shown as made up of nine coordinately arranged rows of lamps. It is to be understood, however, that in practice a far greater number of lam s may be employed, depending upon the esired detail in the picture to be formed on the lamp bank. For example, one form of lamp bank which permits of the optimum effects being produced comprises a bank made up of 160 vertical rows of 200 lamps in each row. This arrangement therefore f consists of 32,000 coordinately arranged lamp units. One method of forming on such a lamp bank an instantaneous image suitable for moving pictures is to light each of the individual lamp units in succession and with such rapidity that due to the retentiveness of vision a continuous visual impression is produced. When a single fixed image is to be roduced this method of producing it may e employed. However, when rapidly successive images are to be produced on the lamp bank to give the effect of a moving picture, it is necessary that each of the successive ima es be completely produced on the lamp ban within 1/ 16th of a second in order to give an observer the effect of continuity. With lamp banks of the size above described,

this method of individually lighting each lamp is not practical for the reason that the commutator speeds necessary, are excessive. That is to say, with a bank of 32,000 lamps, in order to produce pleasing moving images, the commutating apparatus must be capable of closing the circuits of the 32,000 lamps in 1/16th of a second. To obviate this difiiculty the present invention contemplates dividing the lamp bank into vertical groups, for example, the 160 vertical rows of lamps may be divided into 16 vertical groups with 10 vertical rows of lamps in each group. This arrangement is schematically represented in Fig. 1 by the groups G,, Ge -G For the sake of securing simplicity in the drawing and description only three'vertical groups are shown and only three rows in each group. Similarly, only the first nine lamps in each vertical row are shown, it being understood, however, that each vertical row comprises 200 lamps.

From an inspection of Fig. 1, it will be seen that corresponding electrodes of the lamps in each vertical row are multipled together, and that corresponding rows in each group are multipled by means of the conductors 14, 15, 16, etc. Likewise, corresponding electrodes in each horizontal row are multipled together, but corresponding horizontal rows in the several groups are not multipled. It will be assumed that portions of the first two, and the last vertical groups of lamps are shown and that the individual vertical rows bear the numbers shown. With this arrangement any particular lamp may be illuminated simply by completing a circuit through the corresponding multipled horizontal and vertical conductors. For example, if it is desired to light lamp 7'-2 alone in vertical group G current is connected to conductors 7 and 15. If it is desired to light both lamps 7'-2 and 6'-2 simultaneously, current is connected to conductors 6. 7 and 15.

Associated with each of the groups G1, G G is a lamp circuit controller 0,, C C Each controller comprises a perforated sheet which is carried by an associated roller 20, 21, 22, etc. These rollers are mounted in suitable bearings represented schematically by the numerals 23, 24, 25, etc. The perforated sheet records 17, 18, 19 are adapted to be unreeled from the rollers 20, 21, 22 on to the associated rollers 26, 27, 28 which are mounted for rotation in any well known manner and are adapted to be driven at a constant rate of speed from any convenient source of power. Devices of this character are well known in mechanically controlled instruments for example, as pianolas and the like and further description thereof is deemed unnecessary. It will be noted, however, that all the controllers may be mechanically connected to operate in unison by a synchronized motor 35* as shown in Fig. 1 or may be arsuch ranged to operate in synchronism by electrical or other well known means in an desired manner. Each horizontal row 0 perforations in a record sheet corresponds at any given instant, to a articular vertical row of lamps. For exam e, with the records in the position shown in ,ig. 1 which will be assumed as the starting position, the horizontal row 29 in sheat 17 corresponds to vertical lamp row 1, horizontal row 30 corresponds to vertical row 2 and similarly for the succeedin horizontal rows in the sheet. It will be un erstood that each of the sheets 17, 18, etc. is perforated in advance in accordance with the desi or picture to be produced on the lamp ban Suitabl mounted between the rollers of each contro ler is a metallic bar 32, 33, etc. over which the erforated record sheet is adapted to pass. ach controller is rovided with a plurality of brushes equal 1n number to the number of lamps in each vertical row, and these brushes are conveniently mounted to contact with the bars 32, 33, etc. when corresponding perforations in the sheets 17 and 18 ap ear. In the form of lamp assumed there wlll be 200 of these brushes for each controller, each brush being connected to a corresponding horizontal row of lamps in the associated group as clearly shown in the drawing.

For the purpose of completing the circuits through the vertically multipled electrodes in the proper sequence a controller 0,, is provided which is similar in construction to the controllers O 0,, etc. However, since it is assumed that each of the groups G G, etc.

comprises 10 vertical rows the controller C.

is provided with only ten brushes.

t will be assumed that it is desired to produce an instantaneous image on the screen S as represented by the crossed circles. Accordingly, with the records in the starting position, since lam s 5 and 6 in vertical row 1, lamps 2, 6, 8 an 9 in vertical row 11, and lamps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 in vertical row 151, are all to be lighted, erforations will found in registry with rushes 5 and 6 of controller 0,, with brushes 2, 6, 8 and 9 of controller 0, and with brushes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 of controller 0 Likewise, since this is the first row of lamps in each vertical group to be lighted a erforstion will be found in registry with rush I of controller 0,. Accordingly, circuits may be traced fromone terminal of the source of current 35, bar 34, brushes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 of controller C corresponding terminals of lamps in vertical row 151, conductor 14, brush 1 of controller 0,, bar 36 to the other terminal of course 35. Similar circuits may be traced for lamps 2, 6. 8 and 9 in vertical row 11 through controller C and for lamps 5 and 6 in vertical row 1 through controller 0,. These lamps remain lighted while the perforations are passing of 1/160th of "a second, the second row of troller brushes are beneath the controller brushes. Assuming in place of the controller 0.. The conducthe horizontal rows of rforations in the tors 14, 15 and 16 leading from the multicontrollers are separate 1/8th of an inch pled vertical rows instead of terminating in apart from center to center, that the perthe brushes 1, 2, 3 of the controller 0 are forations are at least 1/16th of an inch'in brought to the fixed contacts of a rotarycomdiameter, and assuming the speed of the mutator whose brush 38 is connected to one sheets through the controllers to be at the terminal of the source 35, the other terminal rate of twenty inches per second, then the of the source bein connected to the bar 34. above traced circuits forv the lamps in ver- The shaft on whic brush 37 is mounted may tical rows 1,11 and 151 will remain closed for be mechanically connected to the driving 10 approximately 1/160th of a second. Durin means for the controllers C and (F-C" or the next 1 160th of a second the brushes 0 p the brush 37 ma .be rotated in synchronism the controllers are insulated from the assowith the contro lers by electrical or other ciated contact bars by means of the record suitable means. 1 strips. At the beginning of the next interval While in the foregoing descrigtfiion the conesi ed to ar upon the perforations, for example, row 30 in conpaper records, it will seen that with the troller C and corresponding rows in the high speed of movement of the paper strips, remaining controllers are brought into regthe same will be subject to much wear due to istry with the controller brushes. Accor the .mechanical drag of the brushes on the my ingly, circuits maybetraced through brushes paper surface and due particularly to the 4, 6 and 7 of controller 0,, terminals of the sgarking which occurs when the circuits corresponding lamps in vertical row 2 cont rough the brushes are made and broken. ductor 15 and brush 2 of controller re- To avoid, this excessive wear, the novel'arturning to the current sourcef35. Similar rangement disclosed in Fi 3 may be emcircuits may be traced for lamps l, 4, 5, 7 8 ployed. -As disclosed in 1g. 3 alternating and 9 in vertical row 12 throu h controller current of afrequency related ina definite 2 and for lamps 1, 2, 3,4, 5, ,8 and 9 of manner to the speed of movement of the pavertical row 152 through controller 0 strips is employed. With strips of the During the next time interval of 1/160th of a orm hereinabove described, namel with second the brushes are insulated from the perforations approximately 1/1 6tho aninch contact bars and the paper records are 'admaize and spaced apart approximately l/Sth vanced to bring the next rows of perforaof an inch from center to center, and assumtions into registry with the associated ing that the'paper travels at the rate of 20 brushes to light the proper lamps in rows 3, inches'pe'r second, it will be seen that if 10 13 and 159. The. desired lamps in the; re successive perforations register with a given maining vertical rows are lighted in a sumbrush that the current will be interrupted at I I lar manner by the advancing of the. associate 1/160th of a second intervals. If direct ourcontroller strips. At the end of the tenth rents were used to li ht'the' lamps or if fullrow, which is at the end of 1/l60th of a second wave lamps are emp oyed, these sudden ind from the start, all the lam s in the 160 verterruptions of the current will cause much' I ticalv rows will have thus" nlighted and sparking. To obviate this, an alternating due to the retentiveness of vision of the eye current of the frequency of the circuit inan observer is unable to sense the interm tterru tions is employed, that is to say with tent light ng of thelafnps since the entire possi le circuit interruptions at the rate of 0 image 1s produced in. 1/16th of a second. 160 per second, an alternating current of After a com lete instantaneous imagehas 160 c cles per second would be employed and thus been pr need on the screen S correthetime relations between the current-variaspending to the first ten rows of perforation tionsand the paper movements would be as in each record sheet, the paper is-unperfoshown in Fig. 3 wherein the rise and fall of 5 rated for approximately the next inc the lamp current is plotted horizontally after which the first lmes of perforations in a inst time and the corresponding motion each record corresponding to the next image ofihe pa 1 r and the'relation of the pfrforaare brought into regifiry. with the controller tions an brushes are shown beneat For brushes. 'If a movm'g'image is to-be repro example,-it will be assumed that the magniduced, the arrangement of the perforations fied cross section ofthe paper record P shown in the next ten rows of strip will be in Fig. 3, is in the starting position and that slightly different from the preceding rows the paper is moved towards the right. similarly to the frames of a While in Fig. 8 the full'wave form of the 60 motion picture film. One method for prealternating current is shown, it will be apparing the perforated records to control the parent that whenhalf-wave lam of the type reproduction of succexive images will be disclosed inthe application of Hendr'y described hereinafter. Serial No. 180,788 filed April 4, 1927,;are

Fig. 2 of the drawing shows a modified employed thatthe actual current will be inas form of commutator which may be employed termittent and unidire tional as represented no by the pbsitive shaded portions of the current curve in Fig. 3. Accordingly as brush 6 approaches the first perforation p the current 15 at zero and gradually builds I? while brush 6 is in registry with the per oration until a maximum is reached when the brush is approximately inthe center of the perforation. Similarly when the opposite side of the perforation approaches brush b the current gradually dies down to zero so that reliance is not placed upon the mechanical interruption of the circuit b the paper and all sparking is avoided. I desired, instead of relying on mechanical contact between the brush 6 and the strip a the brush 6 may be out of engagement with the; paper surface so that as the current builds u and while the perforation is passing the rush a point is reached where current begins to How between the brush and the strip, due to high voltage required to operate gas conductor lamps. However, due to the timed relations between the movement of the paper strip and the rowth and decay of the current this spar ing will occur substantially in the central ortion of the perforation and will have no of the paper strip erforations.

While the speci c apparatus is described hereinabove for accomplishing the movable image effect on a sign it is understood that employed at various the invention is of wider application. For example, while the sign may be employed verv readily for the, production of moving out ine images, it will be apparent that other forms of images .may be reproduced and that various shadin s may be simulated by the lighting of the Etmps in the proper groups or clusters to give an effect similar to the half tone effect in photography. 'It is also understood that different colored lamps may be oints throughout the bank to give novel e ects as desired.

One method of preparing the record bands to incorporate a record therein for the urpose of producin shading or half-tone e ects on the sign is as ollows:

A magnified photographic print of the image desired to be re roduced on the lamfi bank is first prepared by any of the we known half-tone printing processes. -A mesh screen havin perforations corresponding in number an arrangement to the numher and arrangement of the lamps in the bank is placed over the half-tone. This screen has the horizontal rows of perforations and the vertical rows of perforations coordinate- 1y numbered similar y to the numbering of t e lamps in the bank and s aces in the paper strip. t is obvious, there ore, that the picture on being inspected through the screen may be analyzed in accordance with the num-' rforations. The 'record perforated in any well own manner to correspond to the analyzebering of the bands may. then prints of successive images is eleterious effects on the edges energy for illumination of the lamps and.

while alternating current lamps are employed, it is understood that any form of interrupted direct current and corresponding direct current lamps may be employed. The brpad idea being the synchronizing of the current variations with the movement of the record bands. Therefore, so-called fullwave lamps may be employed and rectified alternating current may be used, or direct current lamps operated by re ularly interrupted current would come wit in the scope of the invention.

What I claim is: v

1. In combination, an advertising sign comprising a bank of lamps including means to pass only currents of one polarity, a source of alternating current, a circuit controller 'record of the lamps in said bank to be lighted,

and means for moving said controller at such a rate withrespect to the frequency of'said alternating current that said controller initially closes and initially opens the circuits to said lamps durin the portions of the alternating cycle when t e lamps pass a minimum of current.

2. In an advertising sign, a plurality of coordinately arranged electric lamps, said lamps being arranged in vertical groups, means for connectingcorresponding terminals of all the lamps in each corresponding vertical row of each group, means for connecting together corresponding terminals of all the lamps in each horizontal row of a group, a separate perforated sheet circuit controller associated with and controlling each of the second mentioned connectin means, a perforated sheet circuit contro ler common to all of said first means,'and means for operating all of said controllers in synchronism to se ectively light any lamp or grou of lamps simultaneously in each group for t of. producing movable image effects.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification this 13 f July, 1927. a

WILLIAM F. HENDRY.

e purpose dayo" 

